Archive for the ‘Spring’ Category

The beautiful Spring came; and when nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also. ~ Harriet Ann Jacobs

Springtime is here. There is a saying: “as outside, so inside”. Spring season offers a reason to clean out and create space for fresh possibilities and new commitments. It is a time to revive our senses and expand our horizons and begin again. Spring is a powerful period of renewal and rebirth. Many people embrace Springtime and will do some deep cleaning around the home. What if you were to consider a full Spring makeover on not only with your home but your body, mind and soul? Reflect on where you can clear out negative energy to inspire renewal in your daily life. Below are some tips to ponder and consider if there may be areas in your life that could use some Spring cleaning to sweep away any clutter or obstacles that are standing between you and your most vibrant self.

Physical: The Body Needs Spring Cleaning. How you feel can have a direct correlation to what you put into your body. Practice mindfulness and be aware of what you eat. Eating with mindfulness has many benefits such as more awareness of portion sizes. You start to notice and fully appreciate the flavor of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, which may help in realizing when you are full and feel satisfied, so you naturally avoid overeating. Some of us find Springtime is a great time to cleanse or detox, especially for the liver. A detoxification helps cleanse your body providing a boost in your physical and mental well being by physically, ridden your body from the chemically manufactured sugars and any other unhealthy foods that you may eat on a daily basis. You don’t have to commit to a strict diet but you should allow the detox to provide you with a new start. Eating healthy foods, on a regular basis, that are not processed will give you a newfound energy. Tip: If you are not currently eating organic produce and grass-fed meat, commit just 1 week of eating only organic produce. Become more aware of the taste, freshness and how your body feels after consuming and digesting clean, organic foods. You may want to continue this healthy choice long-term.

Exercise! Yes, get moving. Sometimes people get overwhelmed when they hear the word exercise – so just call it moving or creative movement. Strive to take a walk, yoga class or a bike ride on a regular basis. You’ll find that your willingness to be active will serve as motivation within every area of your life. Tip: Notice how you feel in various activities and stick with those that help you feel your best physically and mentally.

Springtime can be a renewal through emotional detoxing. This can involve releasing toxic relationships. Those people who drain you. Release them. This helps create more space to allow more supportive, loving people into your life. The relationships that nurture you tend to be more positive and supporting for your wellbeing. Embrace the relationships with people who uplift and inspire you. It is important to have a circle of people who encourage you to follow your heart, believe in you and see your worth. Tip: Start to become aware of how you feel when you are with others. You will know when you are in the presence people who support you because you will feel energized instead of drained or depleted.

Mental: The Mind Needs Fresh Perspectives. Spring season beckons our minds to start fresh and embrace new perspectives, plant new seeds and try new methods. What’s calling you? What new idea or new approach sounds like it would be fun? What’s a new twist you could put on a situation that sounds inspiring or uplifting? Tip: Self-discovery questions often re-inspire your intentions or may reveal some new options. The mind loves to be inspired. Whether it be a devotional, inspirational quotes or a compelling novel – read! Incorporating inspirational content into your life will help reinforce the inner you and will provide you with confidence to face difficult times in life. Browse through your social media apps, consider a Spring Clean and delete the negative news postings and those contacts you really don’t interact with. If deleting some of the contacts is not an option, even though most of their postings are negative news, you can select to “unfollow” or “hide” their posts/tweets and visit their page whenever you choose to. This will create more space for uplifting and inspiring content that can help create a feeling of motivation and fresh perspective in your day. Tip: Try to weave in moments of contentment or reflection through out your day. Even just 3-5 minutes of reading something inspirational, such as inspirational quotes or browsing your Twitter or Facebook feed for motivational postings.

Manage any stress that comes up by learning to take deep breaths. Deep breathing helps to clear out stagnant energy while oxygenating every single cell within you. The most effective way to do deep breathing, I’ve discovered, is to use a count of 5 seconds. So, take a deep breath while counting to 5. Then, hold your breath for a total of 5 seconds. Slowly let out your breath, counting to 5. How do you feel? Tip: Practice this deep breathing exercise and start to integrate it into your day.

Spirit: The Soul Needs Cleansing & A Meaningful Purpose. Our Soul needs cleansing and no better time than Springtime! Most likely, many of us will find ourselves cleaning the windows of our homes. As you wash the windows of your home, spend some time in meditation clearing away the dirt that clouds your vision. Let go of any hurts, grudges, and resentments you may be holding. If there is anyone you need to forgive, including yourself, do so. This helps to create a ritual to signify that you are cleaning and polishing the windows of your heart. Tip: What areas in your life can you think of that need to be released of negative energy or “clutter”? Inner reflection allows love and peace.

Many people love the change of the seasons from Winter to Springtime. There is a distinct change in the air. Everything seems fresh, new and inspiring. Winter hibernation allowed time for some of the deeper questions and insight to be revealed for what is really important, what changes need to happen to live life more fully. Spring has sprung! Now it is time to take that wisdom that will create and manifest those dreams and wishes of your soul. Tip: Consider cutting out things that steal your time and allow more of your time for things that feed your soul. This can be a positive step forward this Spring, so that when Summer arrives, you have carved out plenty of time for your favorite soulful moments.